VBAC or another c-section?

I go tomorrow for "VBAC counseling" which is military mandated apparently. I'm really torn between which one I want to do.

I had a c-section with my first due to decelerating heart rate and his head was stuck. He has a genetic condition and we don't know if his head size was due to that or if I also have a very small pelvic bone. So I could go all out with a VBAC and actually have the dang c anyway.

I'd love to know those BTDT moms who've been in my shoes and what you chose to do. I'd also like to know if you had any complications and what I should expect. Unfortunately I feel like the military system is pushing for a VBAC because they are in a numbers game. As soon as they knew I had a c, they were bragging about their low c rates and high VBAC success rates. But I've also heard from civilian doctors in the area who do not believe the military hospital where I am forced to deliver has the best record.

I've read VBAC success stories online, but I've also read horrifying stories where the baby has died and the mom almost did too. I'm extremely worried that the base hospital won't be able to provide me with suitable care. I'm really quite perturbed that my husband wouldn't let me switch my insurance a few months ago when I had a chance and could get a civilian physician and deliver in a regular hospital.

I would appreciate it if none of you get snotty and say I should do one or the other. I don't judge you, so don't judge me for what decision I make with delivery. I'm only looking for personal experiences from moms who have already had a VBAC or a second c-section.

Comments (34)

My 2012 baby got stuck on my pelvic bone, and my OB at the time told me that I should absolutely have a c-section with any future pregnancies. I'm definitely following her suggestion and having a c-section. I definitely don't want to mess around when it comes to the safety of my child.

I don't have any info about VBAC, etc. but I just wanted to make the point that if your baby was possibly stuck because of your Pelvic bone, it'd be scary to risk that happening again. Why risk it?

I had a csection because after laboring for 24 hours doc said my pelvis was too small for big DD to fit through. My doc says a vbac is ill advised unless this maybe was MUCH SMALLER. And even then it's a gamble .DD was also in distress so I don't want to chance this LO 's heart rate going too low or anything. So I'm going with a repeat csection.

Your actually 3 or 4 times more likely to die going for RCS. Look up the acog guidelines and statics for vbac vrs RCS. Vbac is a better option for the vast majority of women. If you post this in *vbac support* board the lovely ladies there will happily post links for you. Your first was likely positioned poorly, in your case if he did have an abnormally large or thicker skull that could have played a roll. I'm going for vbac myself, I had a failed induction the drs pushed me into, my due date was wrong as well.

Your actually 3 or 4 times more likely to die going for RCS. Look up the...

Posted
04/07/2014

Your actually 3 or 4 times more likely to die going for RCS. Look up the acog guidelines and statics for vbac vrs RCS. Vbac is a better option for the vast majority of women. If you post this in *vbac support* board the lovely ladies there will happily post links for you. Your first was likely positioned poorly, in your case if he did have an abnormally large or thicker skull that could have played a roll. I'm going for vbac myself, I had a failed induction the drs pushed me into, my due date was wrong as well.

I'd be more interested in stats about the babies safety vs. my own. What is safer for the baby? That's always been my top priority when making a decision about birth.

Get ahold of your operative report btw. It should have some more info for you, like babies position. I personally would look into average skull measurements, and compare them to your ds's. If it's not a situation likely to repeat then vbac is probably the better choice, especially if you want more children. Multiple surgeries create more and more scaring, and potential for complications during pregnancy, during RCS, and post RCS. Just explore your options and decide what's best for you.

I had a vbac. Loved it! No hospital should let you labor for too long and you'll probably be highly monitored.

Though, I'm feeling like you want the rcs. It is your right to have one and the hospital can not deny you it. There are several vbac groups in BBC and I encourage you to look into your local ICAN chapter, they're on Facebook.

I too am in the same boat. But I told my doc that we will see what happens, meaning if I go into labor on my own then vbac it is but if not then cs. But my son didn't want to come and his hr and bp dropped so emergency cs it was. I got the facts and I feel safer this way. If you feel better with a cs then go for it, only you can make the best choice for your lo. Good luck!

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